Obama orders Syria 'gas attack' inquiry

[alp227]

Source: Al Jazeera

US President Barack Obama has ordered US intelligence to urgently probe claims that Syrian forces launched a chemical attack on civilians, including children, aides said.

The Obama administration is facing rising political pressure for a tough response to the attack, which could have again infringed US "red lines" against chemical weapons use by President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

"Right now, we are unable to conclusively determine CW (chemical weapons) use," State Department spokesman Jen Psaki said on Thursday.

But she said the administration had been focused continually since reports of the attack broke on Wednesday on efforts to "nail down the facts".

Read more: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/08/2013822222659434690.html

---

NBC: 'Reaction with force' needed if Syria chemical attack verified, France says

The international community must respond with “a reaction with force” if allegations that the Syrian government carried out a deadly chemical attack were confirmed, France said Wednesday.

Following the White House’s lead, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius urged Syrian President Bashar Assad to allow an immediate and transparent U.N. investigation of the incident, which some activists and rebel fighters claim killed 1,200 people.

BBC: Syria 'chemical' attack: Ban Ki-moon urges swift probe

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said the alleged chemical weapons attack near the Syrian capital "needs to be investigated without delay".

He is sending disarmament chief Angela Kane to Damascus to press for an investigation, his spokesman Eduardo del Buey said on Thursday.

The Guardian: US holds spate of Syria talks as concern grows over chemical weapons claims

The US held a flurry of diplomatic talks on Thursday to discuss possible new action against the Syrian government amid mounting international concern over alleged chemical weapons attacks.

Though it stressed it had still not yet seen conclusive proof of chemical weapon use, the US State Department revealed that secretary of state John Kerry had held seven calls with overseas counterparts on Thursday, and had taken part in a national security council meeting at the White House.

[Akoto]

1. I think the toughest part is ...

They need evidence, and that area is surrounded by Assad's forces. Another article stated that volunteers had gathered blood and hair from the victims, as well as soil and debris from the missiles, but they had no way to get them out for analysis. They can't even get wheat in for making bread.

[dipsydoodle]

4. The only evidence will be the use of chemicals:

not who used them.

[daleo]

5. Means, motive, opportunity

Means - government has the means for sure, but probably the rebels do as well, especially with the assistance of numerous third parties.

Motive - both have a general motive for violence ie the war, but the rebels motive for this is much more specific. That is to say, they have a motive to do this and blame the government, as that could be the pretext for western air support for their cause. The government has the motive to avoid using chemical weapons for that exact same reason.

Opportunity - presumably, that is about equal for both sides ie civil war provides both sides with the opportunity for this kind of attack.

In general, we know that WMD have been used as a pretext for war in the past eg Iraq. So that makes me leery.

[LuvLoogie]

2. Didn't the Obama administration inquire a year ago?

[John2]

3. I don't believe anything

the Obama Administration claims at this point period. There is no pressure from the public in this country except from the same politicians wanting to go to War in Syria. If these areas are truely controled by rebels, the Syrian regime can't gurantee this UN. team's safety. This is nothing but a farce. That is what I have to say to the Obama Administration. He ignores the atrocities committed by these Terrorists, because they are paid by the CIA. This whole operation is nothing but a fraud. Obama has definately loss my respecty period. This is all a pretense, for a war by the end of the year, he promised Netanyahu. Any takers on it?